A Stockport-based company has been fined after it released pork rind fat into a sewer, which resulted in fat and sewage coming up through the pavement.
Jarmac, which refines oils for the soap and leather industry, pleaded guilty at Stockport magistrates' court to a breach of the Water Industry Act 1991. It was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs totalling £13,193 plus a £100 victim surcharge.
United Utilities brought the prosecution after fat and sewage came up through a pavement in Stockport in December 2012.
It had to construct a new manhole in order to access the blockage and it took more than two months to return the sewer to service. United Utilities said it was important that commercial customers have in place proper spillage management procedures and accurate drainage plans.
"In this case the situation was so serious it caused a major blockage and flooding," commented Craig Waddell at United Utilities.
